US poultry farmers will plant trees to reduce farm odours

Poultry growers in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia in the US will be
invited to participate in programme to plants trees around their farms to help
reduce the farm odours that are bothering local
residents.

The programme will be supported by a $52,000 grant from the US Department of
Agriculture to fund a full-time employee and necessary
equipment.

Delmarva Poultry Industry (DPI) collaborated with the
University of Delaware five years ago to help poultry growers decrease
emissions. Data collected by university researchers showed planting trees around
chicken houses will reduce odour, said Bill Satterfield, executive director of
DPI.

DPI will also provide a consulting service at no cost to the
growers and find private sector or government funds to supplement the cost of
tree acquisition, said Satterfield, who expects trees to be planted in the
spring.

New ventilation systems that provide more fresh air to
poultry flocks may be contributing to increased emission levels Satterfield
said.